Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[xstu74]

Hello,

I have been dealing with a case of R.I for the last 2 mths well things have taken a turn for the worst!

The first culture taken by my vet was taken from the mouth so was giving a inaccurate reading, so I took him back to the vets this week as he seems to be worsening he had been on a couple of different antibiotics but have not really had any affect even though a sensitivity test was carried out

On my Second Culture was taken from the tracheal the results came back and according to the vet its very bad news the bacteria came back as Aspergillus sp which according to the vet it was highly unlikely that he will survive, I’ve looked at a number of sites and it looks very bad, apparently it’s found within fungal spores, which has attacked he’s lungs and respitory system which cause irreparable damage, The vet has advised me that treatment will be expensive and there’s very little chance of any success?

Fungal spores are present within all organic materials including most animals they only really present a threat to an animal who’s immune system is already weakened,
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Just as a word of advice to anyone with a case of R.I it would be strongly recommended that all organic materials are removed and the entire enclosure sterilized as any secondary infection can end up being worse then the first!!!!_____________________________________________________________


In respects to animal husbandry and sterilization of enclosures and equipment the only really product for complete peace of mind is F10 used by most vetinarian and human hospitals and the only product found to deal with the full spectrum of bacterial agents known, Even the first choice agent being used by Europe governments for treatment in break outs of the avian flu virus!

So its unfortunate that my guy has contracted this secondary infection, especially as I have been nebulizing F10 for over two weeks in to the enclosure but i would not conclude that it was as a direct result of organic materials present within the enclosure more to advice others with similar R.I infections that would be advisable to remove them as a precaution..

I keep my cages 100% sterile at all times I no longer use mulch and disinfect the cages once a week and water containers are cleaned and disinfected every other day and I would presume that the F10 I have been using on a daily basis would of dealt with any bacteria within the enclosure?

Anyway a few days on I have been subscribed a drug called Sporanox

Brief Description

"Sporanox is an anti-fungal drug manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It is used to fight three serious fungal infections in the body namely blastomycosis which affects the lungs, bones, and skin, histoplasmosis which affects the lungs, heart, and blood, and aspergillosis which affects the kidneys and lungs. It is also used in the treatment of AIDS to treat patients with weak immune systems."


It’s not a cheap drug @ £80 as you can only buy it in 150ml vials given 0.5ml by mouth once daily, also treatments can last for up too 3 months, This drug also carries the risks of these side affects

I have been downloading ever piece of info on the net in relation to Aspergillus and possible treatment with F10 and have found a small number of studies carried out within raptors and parrots which have shown good results with F10, The real problem I am having is finding the right ratios of F10 to use I have been diluting it rather on the heavy side 1.5cc F10 – 10cc Water for a nebulized treatment lasting 30 minutes twice a day, which in all fairness has shown some positives in the fact he was hunting last night for a brief period which I have not seen him do for the last few weeks!
I shall attempt a further feed this evening if he shows any activity

Anyway I have carried out 2 treatments with this drug Sporanox and have not been too sure with the reaction the snake has shown so im a little bit wary of continuing with this course of treatment.

If anyone has had a similar experience with Aspergillus or have any info in relation to safe ratios of F10

I am waiting for a call back from the vet at the UK suppliers of F10 who has kindly offered to help on this matter which I am REALLY grateful for as doesn’t usually give consultations for the public! But any info you guys can supply would better greatly received.

Many Thanks
Stuart

[medusa]

I came across this post whilst searching for something else, I hope by now you have solved your problem. I have a rainbow boa who had repeated bouts of respiratory problems until we figured out it was mould spores in the substrate, it made me very ill too as I suffer from mould allergy. To make the tank nice and humid we used the kind of substrate which comes in a block and you add water to make it expand. Absolutely awful stuff, the mould would be growing in it just a day or two after adding it to the viv. We removed it from all our tanks ( I had it in most of my spider tanks as well) and both the snake and myself recovered almost immediately. We now keep our rainbow boas on aspen, we find they are doing very well on it and shedding perfectly. They spend quite a bit of time in hides which would be where it is humid, which meets their needs. I see from your post that you are no longer using mulch substrate, this action on its own would probably make a big improvement. I hope all is going well for you now.
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.."since using your new shampoo, my hair has come alive.... signed, Medusa.."